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India Today
2 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Tata Sierra launch timeline revealed. More AWD models in the pipeline?
Tata Motors today launched its flagship electric EV, the in the Indian market. While the took the centre stage today, the Indian carmaker revealed what we can expect next from the homegrown automaker. Auto Today's Associate Editor, Rahul Ghosh with Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited at the launch of advertisementToday at the launch of the Harrier EV, Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, during a conversation with Auto Today's Associate Editor, Rahul Ghosh, revealed when we can expect the Sierra to hit the Indian roads. He also shared his insights on few other things including where the EV market is going and whether the rare earth magnets are creating a problem or Sierra to return this yearSrivatsa confirmed that the Sierra will make its debut in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric versions within this current calendar year, ending speculation around its timeline. "The Sierra will definitely come out this calendar year, and it'll be both in ICE and EV form," said Srivatsa, adding that further details and surprises would be revealed closer to the official launch. The old Tata Sierra alongside the upcoming Sierra. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by AutoToday (@autotodaymag)Tata Sierra's comeback Staying true to the spirit of its iconic original tagline, "It takes the rough with the smooth," the Tata Sierra is all set to make a comeback in a bold, modern avatar. Once celebrated for its distinctive rear glass design, the Sierra will soon return to Indian roads — this time featuring cutting-edge styling, advanced technology, and a choice of both ICE and EV powertrains. Tata is ready to revive a legend, reimagined for a new generation. The new Sierra will come in both electric and ICE options. A near-production version of the Tata Sierra was recently showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, and the latest sightings of test prototypes have shed new light on its design, features, and powertrain of the Sierra's biggest draws is its blend of retro charm and modern styling. Despite being heavily camouflaged, the test mule revealed several signature elements. At the front, it sports a tall bonnet, a split headlamp setup with connected LED DRLs, a gloss black grille, and a prominent silver skid plate, all contributing to its rugged appeal. Unlike the original 3-door Sierra of the 1990s, the new model features a more practical 5-door layout. At the rear, the SUV maintains a bold and upright profile, with a flat tailgate, connected LED tail lamps, and a rear wiper. Previous iterations have also revealed flush-fitting door handles, squared-off wheel arches, and thick cladding, all enhancing the Sierra's muscular and SUV-centric contrast to the original 3-door Sierra from the 1990s, the new-generation model adopts a more practical 5-door layout, making it suitable for modern-day usage. The upcoming Sierra gets flush door handles. Inside, Tata is expected to offer multiple interior colour schemes depending on the variant. The concept shown at the Auto Expo featured yellow accents to elevate the cabin's aesthetic. The production version is likely to feature a four-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo, a design now common across Tata's latest the hood, the Sierra ICE is anticipated to come with two engine choices:A new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol expected to produce 168bhp and 280Nm of torqueA 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel, shared with the Harrier and Safari, delivering 168bhp and 350NmBoth engines are likely to be available with 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission Sierra EV, which will follow the ICE launch, is expected to offer multiple battery pack configurations and a range of over 500km on a single charge. It will likely share its electric drivetrain with the recently launched Harrier Sierra is inching closer to its official comeback. More details are expected to emerge in the coming months as Tata gears up for a highly anticipated launch later this year. The Sierra is all set to return this calender year. Future of AWD in Tata's portfolioOn the subject of all-wheel drive (AWD), Srivatsa candidly acknowledged a gap in Tata's current lineup. 'The last AWD vehicle we had was the Hexa, which we phased out in 2019. The AWD segment is less than 5% of the market, but our SUVs have always been known for performance. So we're bringing AWD back in a modern, electrified form,' he AWD is currently being rolled out in Tata's EV offerings like the Harrier EV, Srivatsa hinted that the technology may also make its way into future ICE vehicles, depending on consumer response. 'We'll assess the take rate, and it can probably be extended to ICE models as well,' he said. This could very well mean that the iCE variants of the Tata Harrier and the Tata Safari, and the upcoming Tata Sierra could very well be offered with AWD technology in the near EV consumer expectationsWhen asked about the current state and trajectory of India's electric vehicle market, Srivatsa noted a significant shift in consumer mindset. 'If you go back three years, the primary questions were about cost of operation, EV pricing versus ICE, and charging access. Today, many of those questions are answered,' he said. With the charging infrastructure expanding and products like the Harrier EV offering strong value, Tata believes consumers now expect more than just price parity—they want greater performance and chain and rare earth magnets concernAddressing concerns around rare earth materials and EV supply chains, Srivatsa acknowledged the challenges posed by geopolitical factors but remained optimistic. 'Yes, there is a little bit of concern, but we are confident that between the industry and the government, these issues will be resolved,' he to Auto Today Magazine
India Today
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Karizma vs Yezdi vs Pulsar: Which Era Had the Best Bikes?
India Today Podcasts Desk UPDATED: May 21, 2025 21:04 IST In this high-octane episode of Connecting Rod, Auto Today's very own Rahul, Dipayan, and Abhinav go head-to-head in a passionate debate about the best motorcycles and scooters of their respective eras — from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Whether you grew up idolizing the RX100, racing a Shogun, showing off a Samurai, or revving up a Pulsar 220, this episode hits all the right gears. From the thump of the Yezdi to the roar of the Pulsar, and the cult status of the Karizma, this episode of Connecting Rod is a full-throttle ride through India's most iconic two-wheelers. Produced by Prateek Lidhoo Sound mix by Suraj Singh
India Today
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 long term review
Model: Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Yellow RibbonTest Started September: 2024/705kmCurrent ODO reading: 3,611kmTotal Mileage: 2,906kmOverall fuell efficiency: 26kmplRoyal Enfields have been a staple in Auto Today's long-term fleet. I'd go so far as to say that there's a specific RE for each team member. Dipayan was always sweet on his Himalayan, Rahul preferred the timeless design of the Classic, and our editor happens to own an Interceptor. As for me, I've said before and I'll say it again, Enfields have been the default choice. The Guerrilla 450 is a different story, though. On the surface, it's a slightly different form of the Himalayan, but dig a little deeper and you'll find that it truly lives up to its name. Guerrilla, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is a member of an unofficial military group that is trying to change the government by making sudden, unexpected attacks on the official army forces. The meatiest part of the Guerrilla 450's personality is the 452cc, single-cylinder motor, which churns out 40bhp and 40Nm of torque. advertisement No, this Royal Enfield isn't trying to overthrow governments, but it does upset the natural order of things. It's fast, looks modern and handles quite well. On top of that, its flat handlebar, slightly rear-set footpegs and upright riding position make it a hoot to ride. In the past, this simply wasn't expected of a RE, but things have changed, and I'm all for it. Royal Enfield plans to make an impact on the global motorcycle market, and I feel that the Guerrilla 450 is a solid step in the right direction. Sadly, its time in our fleet has come to an end. But, I would be remiss if I didn't mention just how much we all enjoyed our time on this motorcycle. It doesn't conform, it isn't trying to fill market space, it's just out there to have fun with its short-stroke motor, at least when compared to other REs. The only real chink in its armour that I found was the lack of grip from the tyres, but apart from that, it hits the sweet spot. Royal Enfield has given this feisty roadster an interesting mix of colours, that suits its overall personality. advertisementSpecifications:Powertrain: 452cc, single cylinder, liquid cooledPower: 40.02bhpTorque: 40NmTransmission: 6-speed manualDimensions (LxWxH): 1,510x852x1,316mmWheelbase: 1,510mmEx-showroom price: 2.98 lakhSubscribe to Auto Today Magazine
India Today
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
2025 Tata Tiago.ev review
is India's largest EV maker, and the boom that started with the Nexon EV has now ballooned into a large portfolio including the and but the smallest and most affordable of these is the View this post on Instagram A post shared by AutoToday (@autotodaymag)advertisementA problem which almost all EVs in the current day and age face is the price difference when compared to their ICE alternatives, and while this has more or less been addressed with vehicles costing upwards of Rs 40 lakh, in the mass market segment, this is a cause for many compromises. The 2025 has new LED headlamps, new LED DRLs, and a new lower bumper that makes it look much better and differentiated to the ICE Tiago. The empty foglamp housings look odd, on our top-spec car. Firstly, the battery tech, while advanced, is not affordable enough to be installed in a sub-Rs 10 lakh car, because if it is, the car will cost much more. Then there is the problem of space. In bigger vehicles, there is volume to work with, engineers can easily manage battery sizes and play around with the placement of motors, all while providing a maximised cabin experience, and this is further aided by dedicated, scalable EV platforms, all of which is yet again, costly. Of course Tata has brought the change with the introduction of the dedicated EV platform, that debuted with the Punch EV, the Tiago still continues with the older platform, but it has been improved for 2025. The blue accents on the exterior have been replaced by silver ones, while the 14-inch wheel covers sport a new design. advertisement2025 Tata design changes First off are the visual changes. This includes the new LED headlamps, which replaces the older halogen units, that has also allowed Tata to add a dark shade to the update. Below this, the entire lower bumper section is new with the older grille now replaced by a new pattern, looks modern and quite well-fitting for the electric powered hatch. The signature blue strip, that earlier signified the electric powertrain, now sports a new silver shade. New boomerang shaped LED DRLs have also been added, along with a new fog lamp housing, which strangely did not house any fog lamp on our review unit, despite being the top-spec model on sale, odd. Over to the sides, the changes are limited to the fresh covers for the 14-inch wheels, and the placement of the '.ev' badge, that has moved from the fender to the door. Over at the rear, the Tiago looks the same, but it gets a rear-view camera jutting out of the tailgate and a new shark fin antenna. At the nose and the rear, the hatch carries a more youthful-looking Tata logo, while the badging at the rear is blacked out. Alongside this, Tata has introduced new colour options for the Tiago EV, including Supernova Copper and Chill Lime, with our test car being in the former shade. While the layout is the same, the centre is now adorned by a new free-standing 10.25-inch infotainment that gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Andoid Auto. Alleviating the in-cabin experience is the new black-grey colour theme, adding some premiumness. 2025 Tata interior changesInside, the changes are more major compared to the older car. And here is where Tata's focus on tech and features of their prime models has reaped benefits for the brand's entry-level model, with the tech now trickling down. Adoring the centre is a new 10.25-inch infotainment display, as we have seen on the Punch EV. This unit is crisp, and works smoothly, but I did face an issue of it getting stuck while connecting to my phone, and even switching off the car, and locking it didn't change the status, I had to ultimately use the steering mounted buttons to reset the entire system. The 10.25-inch infotainment is a definite attraction; it looks crisp, and works fast. But it did face some issues like getting stuck, and that can only be fixed by resetting the entire system through the steering mounted buttons. advertisementApart from this, the instrumentation also has a new look, with a large MID and two digital dials, one for the power output and one for the SOC level and regen braking level. Look neater, but the MID is still beaming too much information in a single space, and the overall visibility of the dials isn't great if it's peak sunlight and one is wearing polarised glasses. The new steering comes with an illuminated logo, and feels really good to hold. It also houses the media control and cruise control buttons that work well. The cabin has gone through a refurbishment as well, the beige has made way for grey, giving it a nice cool black and grey theme that extends to the seats as well. The aircon vents in the centre have been reprofiled as well, while for the driver, the newest addition has to be the new steering lifted from the Punch EV. It is techy, looks nice, and feels good to hold. Tata has expanded on their safety ethos, by adding TPMS, hill-hold, ESP and reversing camera, that is surprisingly good quality for a hatch. A real welcome addition is the new IP, that has an MID flanked by two digital dials. It looks nice, but does need some getting used to, especially with the SOC indicator. However, it has visibility issues in harsh sunlight and becomes even tougher to see if one has polarised glasses on. advertisement2025 Tata powertrain and dynamicsAs before, the Tiago EV is offered with a 19.2kWh battery pack and a larger 24kWh battery pack, and with the same spec motors. But optimisations on the BMS means that the claimed range for the larger-battery specced Tiago has gone to 293km. The 75bhp and 114Nm front-mounted e-motor is actually pretty exciting for a car of this size, and the 5.7 seconds claimed sprint from 0 to 100kmph can actually be felt. Gapping most cars in city traffic and weaving through is very easy, with the acceleration available all the way to almost 90kmph, post which it starts to wane, and that signs to not so great highway cruising at triple digit speeds. The is surprisingly spirited for a hatch, and the instant torque delivers and makes absolute fun out of city driving. advertisementNow between my spirited driving, ( Yes, that is how much fun the Tiago EV is), and aircon on max (yay! summers are here), the Tiago was returning about 190-200km on a single charge, but every now and then that I did drive it efficiently, the DTE barely dropped, so one should be able to maximise it to a real world range of about electric version of the Tiago is by the far, the most fun and dynamic version of Tata's hatch that one can have. The floor mounted battery and the pretty sorted weight distribution means that one can take corners pretty confidently, and while the steering isn't the most direct, it has enough feedback that one can have proper fun on curves. A bit of throttle control needs to be exercised when exiting corners, as the 114Nm going through the 14-inch low-res tyres does mean a fair bit of screeching at times. And despite the fun part, I had to be over cautious regarding the brakes, which while adequate for city driving, did lack the progressiveness and tended to go from very little bite to full-lock. The has really commendable ride quality, and great driving dynamics. The aforementioned floor-mounted battery pack also ensures incredible ride quality, and I have always stood by Tata's ride standards, but the EV has a definite edge over the ICE version. It goes over bad patches like one of its larger siblings, with only deeper potholes making it stutter. No complaints with regards to the comfort, but I would have liked a slightly more ergonomic seating and steering position, as it can get awkward and tiring for longer drives.2025 Tata review: verdictThis 2025 iteration of the Tiago EV is not a new car, but the improvements make it feel real fresh and modern, but where I feel the Tiago wins out against its only rival, the MG Comet is in providing a complete hatchback experience, with space for four or five occupants, great ride comfort and the performance that most people won't utilise to the fullest, and that makes it a great deal, until Tata shifts the Tiago to a born electric platform for a maximised EV to Auto Today MagazineTune InMust Watch
India Today
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Drivers of Change 2025: The drive
Since 1947, Mahindra & Mahindra is a name that's been synonymous with ever-growing change and an ability to ford the toughest of terrains thanks to its robust and off-road-focused vehicles. The homegrown brand's portfolio today is an extensive one, with offerings like the XUV3X0 to the Thar Roxx as well as the new age BE 6 electric vehicle. The coming together of the India Today Group and Mahindra Automotive for yet another season of Drivers of Change, with Auto Today at the helm, is a testament to the brand's belief in recognising the efforts of key individuals across the country. This time around, the theme followed 'Vikas' and 'Virasat', which translates to development and legacy, both of which are bywords in a country like India. Neha Anand, VP & Head - XUV Brand Portfolio & International Marketing, Mahindra Auto, Yogendra Pratap, Editor, Auto Today, Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO, Auto & Farm Sector, Mahindra Group, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Mahindra Auto and Manjari Upadhye, Chief Marketing Officer, Automotive Division at the flag-off of the second edition of Drivers of Change advertisementA total of 15 unique individuals were chosen to be a part of this epic undertaking, each of which had proved to be pioneers in their respective fields, and are the reason for change in the system. Each of these achievers has a special story, each of them belongs to a field that sets it apart from the crowd and deserves the attention as well as praise from across the country. Venturing to each of these individuals' home grounds was no easy task, but this was the best way to celebrate their achievements and bring them to the fore. To commemorate this momentous occasion, which marked the start of a voyage that would see three Mahindra XUV700, the brand's flagship ICE-powered SUV, journey across the extensive network of expressways, highways and back roads from almost each and every part of the country. Akshita Nandagopal interviews Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Mahindra Auto ahead of the flag-off advertisementTo flag off the start, the entire team assembled at M&M's plant in Kandivali. This included Rajesh Jejurikar, ED & CEO, Auto & Farm Sectors along with Neha Anand, VP & Head- XUV Brand Portfolio & International Marketing as well as Yogendra Pratap, Editor, Auto Today. After words of encouragement from senior leadership at Mahindra Automotive, it was time for us to commence this grand tour that would see the Auto Today team leave Mumbai and go to corners of the country and back to the same plant. Neha Anand, VP & Head - XUV Brand Portfolio & International Marketing, Mahindra Auto, Yogendra Pratap, Editor, Auto Today and Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO, Auto & Farm Sector, Mahindra Group share a moment together at Mahindra head quarters ahead of the flag-off. The excitement in the air was palpable, as the cars lined up before the final off. Each of the XUV700s received a personal farewell, and all that was left was to head out and meet our very first achiever on this ambitious expedition. The CEO and co-founder of IndiaP2P, Neha Juneja, which is a fintech platform responsible for creating high-yield investment products out of loans provided to women and small business owners. She is a seasoned entrepreneur also known for previously co-founding Greenway, one of India's largest clean cooking enterprises in the country and beyond. She spoke with us about the importance of female entrepreneurs, and how statistically there are fewer female defaulters on loans as compared to males. Her passion for providing a platform for those who need it the most is exactly the kind of inspiration that goes into being a Driver of Change. She along with her team is focused towards empowering and uplifting individuals through a medium that is simple, transparent and easy to understand. Our first achiever before embarking on our mission across the length and breadth of our magnificent country was the CEO and co-founder of IndiaP2P, Neha Juneja, which is a fintech platform responsible for creating high-yield investment products out of loans provided to women and small business owners. She spoke with us about the importance of female entrepreneurs, and how statistically there are fewer female defaulters on loans as compared to males. Her passion for providing a platform for those who need it the most is exactly the kind of inspiration that goes into being a Driver of Change. She along with her team is focused towards empowering and uplifting individuals through a medium that is simple, transparent and easy to understand. After gaining more insight from her, it was time for the journey to commence and for us to move on and meet more achievers just like her. The team quickly made its way out of the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and headed towards our next destination - Hyderabad. But first, we halted in the city of Pune for the night. After meeting our first achiever, the team headed from Mumbai to Hyderabad. advertisementAs the trio of XUV700's pulled out of the heavy traffic of Mumbai, the night fell but as we got onto the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, we could finally enjoy what the XUV excels at - munching mile after mile. The journey for our first evening wasn't long as our break for the night lay in Pune, which we reached after a few hours. The next day, we had a 550km journey to Hyderabad, which was marked by brilliant stretches of highway. And while we had done thousands of kilometres in the previous edition of Drivers of Change, it was only a reminder as to why this SUV is perfect for a mega drive, its highway manners are excellent, and not only does it cruise effortlessly at triple digit speeds, it also has incredible dynamics. Our 550km journey to Hyderabad was marked by brilliant stretches of highway where the XUV700 proved why it is perfect for a mega drive. advertisementEvening fell as we drove into Hyderabad, and checked into our hotel to call it an early night. Most of us are aware of ISRO and their achievements, and as Indians we are proud of what our space organisation has done to be at the forefront of space exploration, but we often overlook that, space is also a business. A certain American private space company has made quite the name for itself in being a pioneer in Space exploration and satellite delivery, but back here, it is still in its nascent stage with a limited number of players, but one stands tall amongst the rest - Skyroot Aerospace. Pawan helms Skyroot Aerospace, India's only private company to have launched a rocket into space. His experience as a rocket scientist working for ISRO only expanded his knowledge of space, and technological expertise, as today he paves the trajectory for India's private space sector, intending to open space for all. Pawan's vision of evolving space from a scientific frontier to a commercially viable sector has been the driving force behind Skyroot. And as the world constantly demands more satellites in orbit, Pawan's dream of an economically viable satellite delivery business takes India to the forefront of the space sector, which will also cater to global clients. advertisementCo-founder Pawan Chandana has had extensive experience in the space industry working with ISRO and today leads Skyroot, which became the first Indian private company to launch a rocket into space in 2022. After the successful launch of the Vikram-S, Skyroot is working on the Vikram-1 launch vehicle, for which they have already conducted a Stage-1 test. The idea behind Skyroot Driving the Change in the Aerospace industry is that the Earth to Space transportation is an expensive endeavor, with access limited to a handful of Government and private space agencies. He is working towards a mission to open Space for all, through the Vikram series of rockets, named after the Father of Indian Space programme, Vikram Sarabhai. As we pulled into Skyroot's MAX-Q facility at Hyderabad Aerodrome we could gauge the level of enthusiasm and effort that has been put into making Skyroot a Driver of Change, from its futuristic facility, and in-house fabrication of rocket components to bringing changes in policy to make space a more accessible sector. The next stop for was Bengaluru where the XUV700 convoy cruised in with Active Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist switched on. Post Hyderabad, the convoy of XUV700s drove to India's tech capital - Bengaluru to meet our next Driver of Change and this 500-odd kilometre journey allowed us to appreciate the advanced technologies in the XUV700. With the Active Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist switched on, we cruised to Karnataka's capital, and did appreciate the levels that Mahindra has reached with their world-class tech. Dr Rao is the Group Director for Head & Neck Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery at HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru and has handled more than 10,000 cases. He is the inventor of the Aum Voice Prosthesis, an affordable device designed for throat cancer patients that allows them to speak even after the removal of their voice boxes, post surgery. He has several patents filed for his invention and innovations in the field of medical devices and techniques and is a pioneer in cancer the Saarthi Trust, advocating for women's and children's rights through initiatives like the 'Aapno Saathi' helpline and slum creches. During our interview we even had the opportunity to meet one of Dr Rao's patients, and heard him speak, all courtesy of Aum. In Bengaluru we met Dr Vishal Rao, who is the Group Director for Head & Neck Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery at HCG Cancer Centre. He has handled over 10,000 cases, and is a pioneer in cancer research and one of his key achievements is the invention of the Aum Voice Prosthesis. His work has allowed thousands of cancer patients to speak, and lead a normal life. He has also been working with the Disabilities Ministry to allow individuals who lose their voice to be recognised as disabled, to ensure that everyone can gain access to Aum, regardless of their economic status. As we drove out of Bengaluru, one thought was on everyone's minds, that technology has advanced humankind and made our lives better, not just in finding out the secrets of space, but helping those who have had medical problems lead a normal life, and that is what makes Dr Rao a Driver of Change. Thiruvananthapuram was the next destination as it is the home to two of our achievers. Our next destination lay in Thiruvananthapuram, also home to two of our Drivers of Change. First we met Vimal Govind, CEO & Director of Genrobotics, one of India's premier robotics companies. One of the premier innovations is the Bandicoot, which is the worlds-first manhole-cleaning robot has had a transformative effect, eliminating the need for manual scavenging, ensuring safe working environments for sanitation workers. The Bandicoot has already been implemented at various locations pan India. Thiruvananthapuram offers the vibrance of the coast that perfectly blended with our mission. As we drove through Thiruvananthapuram, the vibrance and culture of the coastal city blended perfectly with our mission, as after meeting Drivers of Change who have made strides in the world of technology, we were heading to meet someone who has innovated in the field of culture and heritage. Methil Devika is an exponent of Mohiniyattam, and is responsible for merging Indian sign language with the hand gestures of classical dance for her performance titled 'Crossover', under her visionary project 'Dance Philanthropy and Social Inclusion'. Her visionary fushion performance enables individuals with hearing impairments to understand the story. Over the past 30 years, she has excelled as a dancer, researcher at ISRO's Indian Institute of Space Sciences and Technology, art curator and has dabbled in motion pictures as an actor. Methil Devika, an actress and an exponent of Mohiniyattam. She is responsible for merging the Indian sign language with the hand gestures of the classic dance, for her performances, that allows those with hearing and speech impairments to experience the entirety of the performances. She also teaches others in this unique art form, ensuring that the culture and the innovation continues to Thiruvananthapuram, we head to the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari, and while the confluence of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal provided a perfect backdrop for the Drivers of Change convoy to finish its western seaboard leg, our northward journey from here was marked by kilometres upon kilometres of wind farms, the Muppandal wind farm corridor which is the largest such facility in India with an installed capacity of 1,500MW. As the sun set, we drove towards one of the key landmarks when it comes to India's geography - Rameswaram. But in this section of South India, the roads aren't the widest, and most are dual carriageways, but we did appreciate the CatEyes and the traffic lights whenever there was a crossing. We reached Rameshwaram late, and rested as much as we could, because we had a very important task at hand, the sunrise at Dhanushkodi. This remarkable piece of land, connected by a bridge, is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal on all sides, and is a truly breathtaking scene to behold, especially if one reaches the spot for the sunrise. Kanyakumari'sconfluence of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal provided a perfect backdrop for the Drivers of Change convoy. After a long photography session at Dhanushkodi, we got back into the XUV700s and immediately appreciated the ventilated seats, because while the northern part of the country was still experiencing pleasant weather, the South had become an oven. From Rameswaram, we got on the road for our long journey to Pondicherry, and the XUV700 made short work of the distance, thanks to the powerful 2.2-litre diesel that makes overtakes easy, especially in this commercially active part of the country. We explored the former French colony and its serene architecture the next morning, and quickly got onto the NH16 after Chennai, and these excellent highways, part of the Golden Quadrilateral network meant that we quickly racked up the miles on our almost thousand kilometre journey. Certain bad stretches on the route did slow us down, but the benefits of XUV700's excellent multi-terrain capability meant that we didn't really have to be very careful about the potholes and gravel patches. The building in the backdrop of the XUV700 serves as the headquarters of Generobotic Innovations inThiruvananthapuram. After driving the whole day, the XUV700s pulled into Visakhapatnam, but despite the long journey, the entire team was more or less fatigue-free, and that is why the XUV700 was chosen as our steed for this 10,000km journey. Visakhapatnam's prime attraction, the INS Kurusura submarine museum on the Ramakrishna Beach road saw the Drivers of Change convoy passing through early the next morning. As we passed beside the submarine museum, and the several other museums that celebrate the Indian Navy's rich history. After exploring this region, we head northwards, continuing on the route, as we drove along the coast, we caught stunning glimpses of the Chilika lake, India's largest brackish water lake. We pulled into Bhubaneswar, and immediately appreciated the benefits of a planned urban centre. This also marked the 4,000km mark for our mega journey across the nation. Vimal has led Genrobotics to solve problems of society, simplifying life-threatening situations and enhancing livelihoods by robotic solutions. One of his premier innovations is the Bandicoot, which is the worlds-first manhole-cleaning robot has had a transformative effect, eliminating the need for manual scavenging, ensuring safe working environments for sanitation workers. The Bandicoot has already been implemented at various locations pan India. Vimal also demonstrated the G-Gaiter, a robot which is used to rehabilitate patients who are paraplegic. The G-Gaiter's AI gait-pattern and rehabilitation process ensures that each patient is supported by the robot to help them walk in a natural manner, with tailored assistance, controlled automatically or by medical practitioners. Leaving Bhubaneshwar in the rearview, we set our sights on a place that you've probably never heard of. Chakulia is a small town on the outskirts of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. There's something meditative about these long drives—the hum of the road, the landscape shifting from cityscapes to open fields, the miles ticking away almost unnoticed. And the XUV700's ability to quietly and smoothly eat away at the miles makes it even more so. As we crossed into Jharkhand, the roads narrowed, winding through small towns and villages where the pace of life seemed slower. Chakulia used to be an Air Force base during the Second World War. Today though the Air Force base may be overgrown with tumbleweeds wafting gently across the runaways, it has been repurposed for the most noble of causes. This place was home to Dr Shalini Mishra, a woman managing an almost unimaginable responsibility—a gaushala housing 21,000 cattle. There's something meditative about these long drives—the hum of the road, the landscape shifting from cityscapes to open fields, the miles ticking away almost unnoticed. At first glance, it was hard to comprehend the scale. The shelter sprawled across fifty acres, home to cows that had been abandoned, injured, or rescued from being illegally trafficked for slaughter. Shalini had made it her life's mission to ensure they have a home, coordinating everything from food supply to veterinary care. Dr Shalini's gaushala sprawlsacross fifty acres, home to cows that had been abandoned, injured, or rescued from being illegally trafficked for slaughter. The enormity of the operation was staggering. Managing 21,000 cattle required a logistical effort few could imagine—organizing fodder, ensuring medical treatment, and simply keeping the place running. And yet, there was no sense of exhaustion in Shalini. Just quiet determination. A former medical practitioner, Shalini Mishra gave up her thriving practice in Mumbai to dedicate her life to the rescue, shelter and upliftment of the lives of cows and bulls that are being trafficked out of the country. At present, her shelter houses 21,000 bulls and 900 cows that have been saved en route to trafficking, by authorities. Over the years, her shelter in Chakulia has grown multifold, with the police and armed forces counting on her for the rescue and rehabilitation of the cows and bulls that are saved from trafficking. As we left, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the fields. The road ahead curved towards the mountains, and we carried her story with shift from plains to hills was gradual at first, then dramatic. The air turned crisp, the road coiled tighter, and tea estates began dotting the slopes. The drive was a reminder that while highways get you places faster, there's something special about mountain roads—the way they slow you down, making you appreciate every turn, every change in scenery. Even narrow ones like the roads to Darjeeling give you a chance to slow down and appreciate the place that you are in. If you're lucky you might find yourself alongside the iconic toy train with it's steam engine puffing along on its way to Darjeeling from Siliguri, which adds to the visual throwback. The mountain roads make you slow down and appreciate every turn and change in scenery. As we climbed towards Darjeeling, the landscape transformed. Dense forests gave way to open stretches with panoramic views. The twisting roads demanded precision, but the drive was effortless, even through the sharp hairpins and steep ascents. Darjeeling welcomed us with its usual charm—narrow roads lined with colourful houses, the scent of fresh tea drifting through the air. Our halt at a tea estate offered a moment of calm before we pushed ahead, descending towards next stretch was endurance, covering hundreds of kilometres through changing landscapes. From winding hill roads, we eased into the wide highways of Assam, where long bridges spanned mighty rivers. The journey was relentless but never tiring, the XUV700 settling into a comfortable rhythm, matching the vastness of the terrain. Guwahati, with its energy and movement, was a brief but necessary pause before we turned towards Meghalaya. The next stop was Mawsynram, and the weather had already started to rain arrived as expected—first as a drizzle, then as a relentless downpour. Mawsynram, the wettest place on Earth, lived up to its reputation. The roads narrowed, winding through mist-covered hills and waterfalls that seemed to pour directly from the clouds. A native to Meghalaya, Morningstar Khongthaw, realised his life's work at the tender age of sixteen. It was to preserve the culture of his people and the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya through the art of living root bridges that have been a part of the region's culture for over a thousand years. He is the founder and chairman of the Living Roots Foundation and the Heritage Commitee, which helps spread his message of 'going back to your roots' by bringing in people from around the world and giving them an immersive experience of making and maintaining these incredible bridges. In fact, he's been a part of many a study that look to integrate these incredible structures in modern sustainable cities and remote locations across the world. Here, we met Morningstar Khongthaw, a man dedicated to preserving the art of living root bridges. Unlike conventional bridges, these are grown—tree roots guided and woven over decades to form structures that are both natural and functional. Morningstar's mission was not just about maintaining them but also about ensuring the next generation learned the him at work, guiding villagers as they shaped young roots over a river, was a quiet reminder of how progress and tradition don't always have to be at odds. Some things take time, and some things are worth the wait. Morningstar's eyes gleamed as he left us with his parting words 'I say, we should all look to our roots, god knows that I have'The bridges weren't just structures; they were symbols of patience, resilience, and deep-rooted knowledge passed down through generations. As we moved from Meghalaya to Bihar, we came across long stretches of roads surrounded byvast agricultural lands. From the dense greenery of Meghalaya, we moved towards the plains of Bihar. The drive was long, cutting through the heart of India, where vast agricultural lands stretched for miles. The landscape flattened, and soon we found ourselves in Patna, where we met Sudha Varghese. Sudha Varghese's inspiration for her life's work was a magazine article that highlighted the plight of Bihar's Musahar dalit community. Musahar literally translates to 'rat eaters', they were considered untouchable and were not allowed to own land and were forced to work as poorly paid farm works. Even as a child in the school, the squalor of their living conditions affected her. She decided to adopt this community and dedicate her life to their holistic betterment. Despite growing up in Kerala, Varghese refers to the community as her people and has started a school in Patna called 'Prerna' which translates to inspiration, as she is for so many people from the community that she uplifted. Sudha had dedicated her life to empowering Dalit women, giving them access to education and self-sufficiency programs. In a world that often overlooked them, she made sure they had the tools to shape their futures. She spoke of the challenges—social resistance, financial struggles, and deep-rooted biases—but also of the change she had seen. Women who once had no voice now ran businesses, educated their daughters, and made decisions that shaped their showed us a school where young girls were learning, many of them the first in their families to hold a pen. But it doesn't stop at education, Varghese says that the most important part of integration into society is ensuring that they have gainful employment, to that end she has started vocational training for her students to ensure that they have jobs. Her work was proof that change isn't always loud. Sometimes, it's the steady, persistent effort that makes the biggest difference. The last leg of the journey felt familiar, the kind of drive where the destination pulls you forward. As the highways unfolded and the signs for Delhi grew more frequent, the weight of the trip settled in. We covered the 700km Delhi to Ujjain journey through the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway (KMP Expressway), a route that befits the Mahindra XUV700. After the convoy reconvened in the capital city of Delhi, we had already covered close to 9,000km and we were heading towards the twilight of this momentous voyage. There had already been inspiring achievers all across the map, and we had yet more of them on our way back to where our journey originally began in the first place. After a good night's rest, it was time to head towards Ujjain, which is situated in Madhya Pradesh and is roughly 700km from Delhi. For the route out of the city, we took The Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway (KMP Expressway), which is a six-lane highway, and then merged on the newly minted Delhi-Mumbai expressway, which is a beautifully laid-out road. This is exactly the kind of environment that befits the likes of the mighty Mahindra XUV700. We arrived by nightfall through a lovely mix of roads that changed between four-lane and two-lane, all of which were well-paved. Yogesh Malviya is a former Mallakhamb player who now coaches young minds in this ancient Indian gymnastic sport. He is the first Mallakhamb coach to receive the prestigious Dronacharya Award, and his students have received multiple awards on the national stage. Malviya hopes to take Mallakhamb to a whole new level and wants to inspire many more to take up this articulate yet tough sport. He spoke about the sport and its recognition in the Olympics in the 1930s and hopes to bring back the glory days of this homegrown sport. It was a sight to behold, watching young athletes climb up and down the specially made wooden pole or rope, performing physics-defying acts and landing down with perfect precision, all under the watchful eye of their coach. The facilities provided on the grounds of the temple have served as the perfect spot for training and performing in front of many fans of this unique sport. The next day, it was time to meet another achiever at Ujjain's famous Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple. Yogesh Malviya is a former Mallakhamb player who now coaches young minds in this ancient Indian gymnastic sport. He is the first Mallakhamb coach to receive the prestigious Dronacharya Award, and his students have received multiple awards on the national stage. Malviya hopes to take Mallakhamb to a whole new level and wants to inspire many more to take up this articulate yet tough sport. He spoke about the sport and its recognition in the Olympics in the 1930s and hopes to bring back the glory days of this homegrown sport. It was a sight to behold, watching young athletes climb up and down the specially made wooden pole or rope, performing physics-defying acts and landing down with perfect precision, all under the watchful eye of their coach. After spending most of the day with Malviya and his students, and witnessing their one-of-a-kind sport firsthand, we headed towards our next destination with hope filled in our hearts to meet more such inspiring individuals. To reach our next stop, Nasvadi, we drove through the beautiful countryside. The next stop for our convoy was Nasvadi, Gujarat, which was a short but beautiful drive through the countryside. Since it was only around 300km away, we decided to soak in the beauty of our villages and the roads that cut through some of the most beautiful spreads of fields we'd seen throughout our trip. Although the roads weren't in great condition, the XUV700's FSD or Frequency Selective Dampers made sure any and all roads were tackled with the same kind of poise. Since the weather was getting warmer as we headed back towards the west, the dual-zone climate control and the ventilated front seats were a boon in the trying weather. All throughout, the XUV700 kept us cocooned in absolute comfort and we arrived to meet our next achiever who followed a similar sport-based theme as our previous one. Dinesh Bhil was a former national archery champion and is known for being the director and coach at the Eklavya Archery Academy. This institution is responsible for training young students in archery from across the country. Those trained by him have gone on to win accolades across several championships in our country and beyond. Moreover, Bhil takes care of the food, water and shelter for all the kids that come to his academy, demonstrating his genuine want to foster young talent. Dinesh Bhil was a former national archery champion and is known for being the director and coach at the Eklavya Archery Academy. This institution is responsible for training young students in archery from across the country. Moreover, Bhil takes care of the food, water and shelter for all the kids that come to his academy, demonstrating his genuine want to foster young talent in this sport. Jagat Kinkhabwala, who is fondly known as the 'Sparrow Man', is an environmental conservationist, nature specialist, environment management consultant and writer. He has dedicated his life to the conversation of the environment, and has authored several books, one of which is titled 'Save the Sparrows'. He's also invented a unique and nature-friendly nest for birds, that can be easily set up and distributed without a hassle. Furthermore, he was honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his exceptional work towards the conversation work and was invited on the PM's 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme . He's also contributed to the protection of sparrows by distrubting more than 50,000 nests free of cost, and provided several lectures on the same. We continued onwards in the great state of Gujarat and headed towards Ahmedabad to meet yet another great mind, one who is a nurturer of the environment and believes that we as a species have to realise that we share this planet and do it responsibly. Jagat Khinkhabwala, who is fondly known as the 'Sparrow Man', is an environmental conservationist, nature specialist, environment management consultant and writer. He has dedicated his life to the conversation of the environment, and has authored several books, one of which is titled 'Save the Sparrows'. He's also invented a unique and nature-friendly nest for birds, that can be easily set up and distributed without a hassle. After spending time with him at his lovely home, we made a quick dash to Vadodra, which is situated 100km away from Ahmedabad, and has the NE-1 or National Expressway-1. Her Royal Highness Radhikaraje Gaekwad, who dedicated her life to empowering the LGBTQ+ community and protecting the rights of marginalised members of society through her philanthropic work. She hails from the royal family of Wankaner State and is married to the Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, the honorary Maharaja of Baroda. Her grace and humble nature are exactly the kind of soft touch each of our achievers has showcased in one form or the other. She is also deeply involved in preserving Baroda's rich cultural heritage, and Indian culture as a whole. Apart from this, she also actively promotes the region's arts and crafts as well reviving ancient weaving techniques. Our next achiever was Her Royal Highness Radhikaraje Gaekwad, who dedicated her life to empowering the LGBTQ+ community and protecting the rights of marginalised members of society through her philanthropic work. After Vadodara, the XUV700 convoy headed out to the diamond city of Surat. Once we had spent the night in Vadodara, and explored the city centre and its many attractions in the wee hours of the morning, it was time to head to the next big city in Gujarat, the diamond city of Surat. Nilesh Mandlewala, founder and president of Donate Life, an organisation that's graciously touched the lives of many with its transformational work in the field of organ donation. Under his supervision, Surat has quickly gained fame as the 'Organ Donor City' in the country. He shared many occasions on which he has successfully facilitated organ donation for those in need but doesn't have the means for such a complicated procedure. He also spoke at length about the difficulties involved with educating the masses about the noble act of donating one's organs for the greater good of society. In 1997, his father suffered a kidney failure due to which he had to receive dialysis from 2004. This was the inspiration behind his noble pursuit of providing aid to those most in need. There we met with Nilesh Mandlewala, founder and president of Donate Life, an organisation that's graciously touched the lives of many with its transformational work in the field of organ donation. Under his supervision, Surat has quickly gained fame as the 'Organ Donor City' in the country. He also spoke at length about the difficulties involved with educating the masses about the noble act of donating one's organs for the greater good of society. It was now time to head towards our final destination. Although we had yet more wonderful achievers to meet, there was a feeling of finality to this final stretch of road from Gujarat to Maharashtra. Bahuddin Dagar is an exponent of the Rudraveena, which is an ancient classical musical instrument of India. He has been practising said instrument in the genre called 'Dhrupad', which is the oldest living vocal tradition in India. His musical inspiration came from his father and uncle, both musical prodigies as well. After providing us with the utmost hospitality and gracing us with his short but magnificent performance. He belongs a long Dagar lineage of artists that was started by Nayak Haridas Dagar and has spanned for over 20 generations. He has received multiple accolades which include Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Hindustani Music - Instrumental (Rudraveena). He conducted his first concert at the age of 20, and has since peformed all over the world. We arrived in the city of Mumbai late in the evening before meeting our final two achievers the next day. First, we headed to meet Bahuddin Dagar, who is an exponent of the Rudraveena, which is an ancient classical musical instrument of India. He has been practising this instrument in the genre called 'Dhrupad', which is the oldest living vocal tradition in the country. After providing us with the utmost hospitality and gracing us with his short but magnificent performance, we bid farewell and headed to meet our final achiever. Kamiya Jani is an entrepreneur, mother and traveller, juggling each walk of life with equal ease. Apart from being the founder and editor-in-chief of one of the most popular travel and food platforms in the country, Curly Tales, she is known for her humble beginnings as well as her extraordinary success story. She has travelled to more than 40 countries and 153 cities across the globe. Jani has also expanded her business beyond India, and plans to extend her reach even further. She previously worked as a business journalist and television anchor for multiple media organisations. She says that her biggest inspiration is her mother who played a major role in the shaping her current trajectory in life. Her next endeavour is to provide a platform to street food vendors across the nation. Kamiya Jani is an entrepreneur, mother and traveller, juggling each walk of life with equal ease. Apart from being the founder and editor-in-chief of Curly Tales, she is known for her humble beginnings as well as her extraordinary success story. For the final act of our epic voyage, which spanned more than 10,000km, 15 achievers and three Mahindra XUV700s, we headed down to the Gateway of India and decided to end the journey with an introspective note, reflecting on the change it made on us, our country and the achievers. Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine
